Season Recap - 2010 San Diego Chargers

Final Record: 9-7

Finished: 2^nd Place in the AFC West

2011 Draft Position: 18^th

Preseason Ranking:   1
Preseason Letter of Misfortune:

The cream of the crop in the AFC West, the schedule sets up nicely for San Diego to once again compete for a chance to go to the Super Bowl. With six games against weaker division opponents and four against the mediocre NFC West, San Diego just needs to hold serve against their less-talented opponents and stand strong against the three elite AFC teams they have to face (Cincinnati, New England and Indianapolis) in order to repeat as division champions.

Tomlinson is gone, but since he’s lost a step the last few seasons, his departure will not adversely affect the running game. Rivers has returned with one more year of experience under his belt and will continue to be among the upper echelon of quarterbacks. Antonio Gates signed a record deal for a tight end and the receiving corps should be more than up to the task of helping return the Chargers to their “Air Coryell” days of yesteryear.

The Chargers look primed to win their fifth consecutive division title due to a weaker schedule and the return of almost all offensive starters, minus Tomlinson, from last season. Even the holdout of Shawne Merriman and some early defensive injuries should not put a damper on the Chargers. In their first nine games of the season, only New England stands out as solid competition and the Patriots have to travel to San Diego.

If San Diego goes into their week 10 bye with anything less than a 7-2 record, they will truly have faltered in their quest for a deep run into the playoffs.

Week 1: Lost at Kansas City Chiefs, 21-14

Ranked – 21

Once mighty, a plummet through the Misfortune ranks might just be the wake up call you need. At least you're not the only team to dominate their opponent this week only to lose the game on mental mistakes and miscues.

Week 2: Defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 38-13

Ranked – 6

After the way the Chargers struggled in week 1, they better play well the rest of the year to secure home field in the playoffs. San Diego won't do well in the bitter cold of New England, New York, Baltimore or Pittsburgh come January. 

Week 3: Lost at Seattle Seahawks, 27-20

Ranked – 17

Like Rocky, you "yo, yo" through the power rankings. We're good, we're not so good. We're good, we're not so good. Wouldn't that be something if you stumbled through the regular season and then went on a tear through the playoffs? Man that would confuse some people.

Week 4: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 41-10

Ranked – 8

Too bad all San Diego's games can't be played in sunny Southern California.

Week 5: Lost at Oakland Raiders, 35-27

Ranked – 24

It's not even January yet and already the Chargers are choking away victories. In a game lost by only 8 points, the 16 points given up by the special teams and the offense made all the difference.

Week 6: Lost at St. Louis Rams, 20-17

Ranked – 26

The Chargers should be 6-0, not 2-4. Terrible, terrible job of coaching so far this season for a team stacked at all positions. 

Week 7: Lost to New England Patriots, 23-20

Ranked – 21

Another week of mistake-filled football for the Chargers. Can they rally to make the playoffs?

Week 8: Defeated the Tennessee Titans, 33-25

Ranked – 21

It wasn't a "must-win" game for the Chargers last weekend, but it was one they desperately needed. If they can beat the Texans in Houston next week before they head into their bye, their season might be salvaged.

Week 9: Defeated the Houston Texans, 29-23

Ranked – 21

Beating Houston at home is nothing special. Charge out of the bye week with two straight wins over Denver and Indianapolis and then the Chargers might be considered for real.

Week 10: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 15

Things were looking better before the bye week, now they look downright great.

Week 11: Defeated the Denver Broncos, 35-14

Ranked – 14

The Chargers are back to .500. I already have them penciled in for a disappointing home playoff loss in January.

Week 12: Defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 36-14

Ranked – 13

December's the perfect month for the Chargers to make their final attack run on the standings... if only December could be extended a few more weeks, they might actually make it to the Super Bowl.

Week 13: Lost to Oakland Raiders, 28-13

Ranked – 16 (ROCKY WEEK!)

[During practice leading up to this week's game, Philip Rivers is in another world, haunted by the first Kansas City game; The scout defense crosses up the offense with some practice blitzes] 

            Coach Turner: They're blitzing. They're blitzing. THEY'RE BLITZING! Damn, Philip, Come on! What's the matter with you? 

Philip Rivers: Tomorrow. Let's pick up the blitz practice tomorrow. 

Coach Turner: THERE IS NO TOMORROW! THERE IS NO TOMORROW!

Week 14: Defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-0

Ranked – 13

Finally, a winning record for the first time all season.

Week 15: Defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-7

Ranked – 10

If the Chargers can't win out against Cincinnati and Denver, they have no business being in the playoffs anyway.

Week 16: Lost at Cincinnati Bengals, 34-20

Ranked - 17

            Their early season losses finally sunk the Chargers.

Week 17: Defeated the Denver Broncos, 33-28

Final Rank - 15

The season recaps continue next week, starting with the 2010 New York Giants, Creative Misfortune’s “If Real Football Used Fantasy Scoring…” champions.